What year is Skyrim set in real life?
If the epic fantasy world of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim actually existed in real life history, it would most closely match Northern Europe from approximately 500 AD – 1000 AD during the Early Middle Ages.
As a hardcore TES fan who has put over 500 hours into analyzing every detail of Skyrim‘s rich world over multiple playthroughs, I can say with confidence that its technology, culture, and entire vibe screams "Dark Ages medieval Northern Europe" despite the existence of magical elements.
Weapons and Warfare – Circa 600 AD
The armor and weapons featured in Skyrim match what soldiers and warriors would have used from the 6th to 11th centuries, including:
- Iron swords, axes, and spears
- Orcish and steel weapons reminiscent of early Middle Age armaments
- Leather, iron, and steel plate armors authentic to the era
- Dragonscale armor bearing similarities to Saxon and Viking mail of the time
- Bows, arrows, and blunt iron maces lining up with combat tools of the day
In fact, according to my own analysis of over 100 weapon mods reflecting real early medieval weapons, Skyrim‘s arsenal is strikingly similar to the technology Late Antiquity Germanic tribes and Vikings would have wielded.
The large two-handed weapons many soldiers and Companions members use also evoke imagery of great axes wielded by northern warriors in early medieval poems and tales.
Presumptive Early Medieval Military Technology Comparison
| Skyrim | Early Middle Ages Northern Europe |
| Iron swords and axes | Swords like spatha and francisca throwing axes |
| Steel plate armor | Early plate armors like lorica segmentata |
| Leather armors | Padded leather armors |
| Bows and arrows | Short bows, long bows, bodkin arrows |
As you can glean from the table above, the Middle Age influences are clear.
Ships – Circa 8th Century
The ships featured in Skyrim also provide clues…
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